Articles from the March 27, 2014 edition


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  • Marijuana ordinance gets first reading

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Interim marijuana facility siting ordinance W-18 may have a new designation — W-33 — but it’s essentially the same zoning measure Cheney has been working on adopting since late November 2013. That adoption took one more step towards reality Tuesday night as the City Council held its first reading on the ordinance regulating where marijuana production, processing and retail outlets locate in the city. The council approved the first reading at its March 25 reading, following a recommendation from the Planning Commission, with...

  • Chamber of Commerce hosts 'Best of the West' event

    News Service Reports|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Last Thursday, March 20, 250 attendees gathered at Northern Quest Resort’s Pavilion as the West Plains Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding members in the community at the “Best of the West” gala. Chamber president Denise Vickerman, Spokane Airport Ramada Inn general manager, told attendees that 79 nominations had been received and 319 ballots cast selecting the winners. The award night recognized the finalists and honored the winners in several categories for outstanding support within the community. The winners for 2014...

  • Medical Lake High School band performs at concert festival

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    The Medical Lake High School Wind Ensemble traveled to Pullman, March 14, to participate in Washington State University’s Concert Festival. Medical Lake High School band director Craig Johnson said the band performed a variety of musical styles, including the folk song “Wild Mountain Thyme” and Brian Balmages’ “Arabian Dances.” “I was extremely proud of how well the band performed,” Johnson said. “They showed continual improvement in their tone quality and technique.” Johnson said the students enjoyed touring the campus...

  • Bowater send-off

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Hundreds of students, teachers and military family members (left) lined up in support of London Bowater as she left for Seattle, March 19, where she will begin treatment for the second time for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, just six months away from completing her first treatment. (below) Tech. Sgt. Nick Bowater, 22nd Training Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape instructor, looks on as his daughter London is greeted by a loved one at Fairchild Air Force...

  • Hallett Elementary reveals February award winners

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Hallett Elementary School announced students earning awards for the month of Feburary. The character trait of the month was fairness. Pride McKenzee Patterson, Brooklyn Bridges, Joshua Goodman, Shayla Daly, Ashton Kidd, Leda Garcia, Madison Spring, Sheehan Connors, Shayley Taylor, Liilie Gold, Emily Sorey, Jenna Castro, Isaac Barr, Alivia Gies, Sophia Christensen, Jacob Whitehead and Jake Olmstead. Can James Oliver, Neil Davis, Chevelle-Ann Colwell, Joseph Tyson, Billy Neighbors, Nicholas Roberson, Delaney Gunther, Skylar...

  • Community comes together to raise money for scholars

    Al Stover, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    The Medical Lake Dollars for Scholars (MLDFS) held their annual “Spring Thing” fundraiser, March 22, to raise money for their scholarship fund. The theme for this year’s event was “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” According to MLDFS treasurer Steven Meltzer, this year’s fundraiser is different from the previous ones in that the foundation raised money with only ticket sales and raffle drawings. Since its inception in 2001, MLDFS has awarded $413,000 to Medical Lake High School students and currently has over raised over $90,000 for t...

  • Medical Lake students construct custom machines

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Robots were the theme for the March 22 STEM Lab at Hallett Elementary. Students and their parents assembled small machines from Lego Mindstorm NXT kits. Once they were finished constructing their robots, students went to the computer lab and programed different noises and commands into their machines. STEM elementary coach Marci Dayton said this robotics lab was an extension of activities she was doing in the STEM after-school program , as well as the lab she held in the...

  • Washington recreation sites await Obama's 'Conservation Promise'

    CHRIS THOMAS, Washington News Service|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    SEATTLE - One aspect of President Barack Obama's new budget proposal that hasn't gotten much attention is his recommendation to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Congress routinely raids the LWCF for purposes other than those for which it was intended. The money is mostly collected from offshore oil and gas fees and is supposed to be used to improve outdoor recreation and preserve public land and water resources. Hannah Clark, LWCF campaign director for...

  • What's Happening on the West Plains

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    City of Cheney • March 27, Preschool Play and Learn Storytime (ages 3 – 5), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • March 28, Baby Play and Learn Storytime (ages 0 – 18 months), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • April 2, Toddler Play and Learn Storytime (ages 1 1/2 – 3), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • April 2, Kids Explore and Discover Club, “Art like the Masters,” community library, 4 – 5 p.m. • April 3, Historic Preservation Commission, City Council chambers, 5:15 p.m. City of Airway Heights • March 27, Play... Full story

  • Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge planting party May 10

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge and Spokane Audubon Society will host a community work party on Saturday, May 10. This is part of an ongoing community effort to restore native riparian habitat to benefit birds and other wildlife species. There will be hundreds of native saplings to plant, and fencing to build at the project site to protect the trees from deer, elk and moose browsing. Everyone is welcome to come and help. Groups wishing to attend are asked to please call in advance to register. It helps in planning if staff...

  • Keep tabs on your vitamin D levels, diet may be insufficient source

    Dr. E. KIRSTEN PETERS, Contributor|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    My mother lives with me and I’m involved in her medical care. She’s a tough cookie. But like many 88-year-olds, she has several health problems. We visit her doctor at least once a month to report what’s working and what isn’t doing the trick. Recently the doctor ordered blood work that showed she was low in vitamin D. So now I’ve added vitamin D tablets to her daily medication regime. In the summer our bodies produce vitamin D when sunlight strikes our skin. But during the dark winter months, that source of vitamin D dries u...

  • Looking Back

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    1 Years Ago April 1, 2004 Days removed from guiding Eastern Washington University to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament, Eagles' head coach Ray Giacoletti accepted the same job at the University of Utah, a position vacated by Rick Majerus, who resigned due to health reasons. A selection committee chose Paul Simmons over of a pool of seven candidates to become Cheney's new parks and recreation director. By a vote of 3-2, the Cheney City Council voted to rename...

  • Serving the Nation

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Matthew D. Bitz graduated from the United States Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas on Feb. 28. Bitz graduated from Cheney High School in 2013 where he served at Associated Student Body president. He is the son of Dean and Debbie Bitz of Cheney. He received excellent marks from his military training instructor and his flight. 30/148 earned Bitz the "Physical Training Excellence Award."...

  • Donald Lee Shea

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Donald Lee Shea, born Oct. 19, 1938 passed away on March 19, following a prolonged battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) at his winter home in Tucson, Ariz. Don is survived by his wife Mary Buntrock Shea, his son Patrick Shea, Cheney; daughters Gina Jackson, Cheney, Lia Talvi, Wasilla, Alaska.; brother Robert Shea, Cheney; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Don attended Northwest Nazarene University and Eastern Washington University. Don had a successful... Full story

  • Betty Mae Kintschi

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Betty left us to join the choir in heaven on Monday, March 24, in Cheney. She was born Nov. 27, 1933 to John and Alvina Kuhn and raised on the farm near Edwall, Wash. with her sister Virginia and her brother Ed. Betty loved music and was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. She participated in many vocal contests while attending Edwall High School. She received a music scholarship to attend Gonzaga University. After a semester at Gonzaga, she married her long time sweethear... Full story

  • Claude A. "Arnie" Williams

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Claude A. "Arnie" Williams, age 89, of Marshall, Wash. passed away March 20, in Spokane. Arnie was born in Harriman, Tenn. May 13, 1924 and moved to Spokane at the age of 11. He was a graduate of Cheney High School. He was a World War II veteran seeing action as a Navy medic in the Philippines. Arnie retired from the U.S. Navy in 1970 and returned to Marshall in 1971. Arnie worked as an x-ray technician for the state of Washington at Lakeland Village. He loved collecting... Full story

  • Churches

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Emmanuel Lutheran Church The congregation of Emmanuel Lutheran Church invites you, your family and friends to worship with us this Sunday, March 30, at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate the fourth Sunday in Lent. Preschool through adult Christian education begins at 9 a.m. Lenten mid-week soup supper and worship continues on Wednesday, April 2. Soup supper is served at 5:30 p.m. followed by Holden Evening Prayer at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. Mark your calendars and plan to worship with us during Holy Week: April 13, Palm Sunday, 10:...

  • Life spent working for a living

    LUELLA DOW, Contributor|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    "Flossie Dickey is 107 years old," somebody told me. About the same time someone else was singing "Happy Birthday" as Flossie attained the age of 108. If you want to catch up with Flossie you'd better hurry. Flossie's father owned 20 acres on the far side of Priest River. That was Flossie's home until she was 7 years old. The family, including a younger brother and sister, then moved to Spokane. Flossie took her report card along to show it to the teacher in Spokane. It was co...

  • Fairchild unveils new Wing Headquarters building

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Fairchild Air Force Base held a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 20 to commemorate the opening of the new Wing Headquarters Building. The new building will hold the offices of the 92nd and 141st refueling wings and replace the previous headquarters - affectionately referred to as "The White House," The old headquarters was constructed in 1943 and has hosted several commanders over the years. Over time, the building had several renovations and Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air...

  • Sheriff's Office warns of telephone scams in Spokane County

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens once again about telephone scams circulating through the area. For the past several weeks, the Sheriff’s Office has received multiple complaints of individuals calling, identifying themselves as Sheriff’s Office employees and telling people they have missed jury duty and that if they don’t provide payment over the phone, they will have a warrant for their arrest issued. The latest angle of this scam deals with a person calling and saying they are from Spokane County...

  • Exotic Metals brings aerospace plant to Airway Heights

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Exotic Metals Forming Co. LCC (Exotic), an aerospace company based out of Kent, Wash., announced at a March 21 press conference that it will purchase 56.6 acres of property from Spokane International Airport (SIA), on the south side of McFarland Road at Lawson Street in Airway Heights. The company will build a manufacturing plant and hire up to 150 local employees. According to their website, Exotic, formed in 1966, makes and supplies sheet metal for the aerospace industry....

  • T-bone

    Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Cheney firefighters tend to the scene of a rather spectacular two-car accident last Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of Fifth and G streets. The drivers of both vehicles, a silver 1997 Honda Accord and a white 2012 Chevy Malibu, were uninjured....

  • Cheney reviews EWU recycling center, depot demolition applications

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    The city of Cheney has issued notices of mitigated determinations of non-significance on a pair of project applications: one for a new recycling center at Eastern Washington University and the other for demolition of the former Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad's depot on Front Street downtown. Neither application requires a public hearing, and both have comment periods open through April 3. Eastern's proposed recycling center would be built near Central Stores and the...

  • Cheney commission recommends denial of Clay rezone

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    Cheney’s Planning Commission voted unanimously at its March 17 meeting to recommend denying a proposed rezone near Centennial Park that would have allowed for a higher residential density on property next door. Randall Gillingham, owner of property at 625 Clay St., had applied for a change in zoning on his one-third acre property from R-3, multi-family residential, to R-3H, high-density multifamily, at the behest of the city’s Planning Department. Approval of the rezone would have allowed him to construct an apartment com...

  • ML council talks water, roads and garbage

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 27, 2014

    The Medical Lake City Council discussed several issues at their March 18 meeting. City Administrator Doug Ross announced that he and Mayor John Higgins attended a meeting with several other mayors in Spokane County, March 13, to discuss solid waste management. Ross said the city is in a “good spot” as Sunshine Disposal and Recycling has a transfer station not owned by Spokane County. He added that Sunshine would provide numbers in October and the city will adjust their garbage rates based on the figures they receive. Ross ass...

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